By Anietie anii-bassey
A group of Australian women and children who recently departed a detention camp in northeastern Syria remain stranded in the country after Australian authorities declined to permit their return, according to Syrian officials.
The group, consisting of 13 women and children from four families, left the remote Roj camp near the Iraqi border last week and made their way toward the Syrian capital, Damascus. The camp has long housed relatives of individuals suspected of links to the Islamic State militant network. Their departure had initially raised expectations that they would soon be repatriated.
At the time of their journey, a camp official indicated that the families would likely stay in Damascus for approximately three days before arrangements were finalized for their return to Australia. However, those plans were abruptly halted.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Syria’s information ministry said that shortly after the families left the camp, authorities were informed that the Australian government had refused to accept them. As a result, the group was prevented from proceeding to Damascus International Airport and remains in limbo within the country.
Syrian officials emphasized that the situation remains unresolved, noting that any solution would require coordination with international stakeholders. The families are currently awaiting further developments as diplomatic channels remain uncertain.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed his government’s stance during a news conference, stating that no support or assistance would be provided for the repatriation of the group. His comments underscore a continued hardline approach by Australian authorities toward citizens with alleged ties to extremist networks.
According to Syrian officials, the families had secured Australian passports through legal representation while still in Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syria. The documents were reportedly delivered by an unidentified individual. The region remains under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group that has overseen detention facilities holding individuals linked to extremist organizations.
Efforts to coordinate the families’ return have involved outside intermediaries. Lebanese-Australian doctor Jamal Rifi had previously indicated he was assisting with repatriation logistics, though he has not publicly commented on the latest developments.
This is not the first failed attempt to bring such individuals back to Australia. Earlier this year, a separate effort involving 34 women and children was also blocked before it could be completed.
The broader issue reflects the lingering aftermath of the Islamic State’s territorial defeat in Syria in 2019. Thousands of foreign nationals, including fighters and their families, have since been held in camps and detention centers across northeastern Syria. Despite the group’s loss of territory, it continues to operate through sleeper cells that carry out attacks in both Syria and Iraq.
Recent shifts in control across parts of Syria have further complicated the situation. Clashes earlier this year between Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces led to significant territorial changes, with government troops reclaiming large areas. The instability contributed to detainee movements, including escapes from camps and detention facilities.
The closure of the larger al-Hol camp, once one of the most prominent detention sites, has also led to the relocation of thousands of individuals. Many suspected militants have been transferred to Iraq for prosecution, while others remain displaced amid ongoing security concerns.
Australia has previously conducted limited repatriation operations, bringing back women and children from Syrian camps on two occasions. In some cases, Australian nationals have managed to return independently without government assistance. However, the current situation signals a continuation of strict policies that leave some citizens in prolonged uncertainty abroad.